What happened to Adriano's life: from Emperor in Inter to depression, alcohol in the favelas and rumors of murder

On his 40th birthday, we remember the life story of one of the best Brazilian players in recent years.

40 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, on February 17, 1982, was born Adriano Leite Ribeirobetter known in the football world only for Adriano. If we talk about him, the first thing that those who saw him play mention is the physical power that he had, and the strength of that left foot with which he has destroyed networks. Without a doubt, one of the best Brazilians in recent years. However, his professional career was cut short by personal problems that did not allow him to sustain himself in the elite. Next, we will review what happened to the life of the one who knew how to be Emperor of Italy.

Adriano’s golden age: champion with Inter and Brazil

sprung from Flamengowhere was inducted into the Maracana Hall of Fame, debuted in the year 2000 in First. His great performance caught the attention of a European giant: Inter de Milan, who bought it for more than 13 million euros. Thus, the following year he emigrated to Italy but went on loan to the Fiorentinaand then to Parmato return to the Nerazzurri in 2004 and begin his golden age.

At Inter he won two Italian Cups, two Serie A and three Super Cups between 2004 and 2008. He became one of its most representative players since, as was said at the time, he had “Ronaldo’s scoring ability, Ibrahimovic’s strength and Roberto Carlos’s shooting power”. In the Brazil’s selection He was also able to display all his talent: he played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. won the 2004 Copa Americawhere he was a scorer and top figure: the goal that converted him to Argentina in the last minute of the final, which led the game to a 2-2 draw and therefore to a penalty shootout. The next year, raised the Confederations Cup as a figure.

The death of his father, the main cause of Adriano’s decline: alcohol and indiscipline

However, the death of his father Almir, on August 4, 2004, it was slowly leading him into a severe depression. “I saw him cry, he threw down the phone and began to shout that it was not possible. Since that call he was never the same again. We did not get him out of depression”Javier Zanetti, a former partner, revealed at the time.

“After that day, my love for football was never the same. I got really depressed, man. I started drinking a lot. I didn’t really want to train. I just wanted to go home. Even though I scored a lot of goals in the Serie A during those few years, and although the fans really loved me, my joy was gone.”he explained in a letter written by him for The Players Tribune.

In 2006 he sank into alcoholism and was even declared to have drug problems. The player himself even confessed that he came to training completely drunk and that he had to sleep in the infirmary. All this caused him big problems at Inter, where they gave him opportunities to resurface, but it couldn’t be like that.

Adriano and a restart in Brazilian soccer until his retirement in the United States

Adriano went on loan to São Paulo in Brazil for a season and returned to Italy. But conflicts with José Mourinho, at that time manager of Inter, led him to make the decision to leave the Italian club. According to him, he no longer felt happy playing in that country. This because of a depression due to the separation from his girlfriend. He even got to announce your temporary retirement on April 10, 2009.

Then he returned to Flamengo to return to its roots. After a year there and having won the Brasileirao, he got the chance to return to Serie A, to the Roma. But it was a gray step in his career, as he played a handful of games and terminated his contract. He returned to Brazil, where he passed through Corinthians (won the Brasileirao again) and Athletico Paranaense. Until in 2014 he went to Miami United FC, team of the fourth division of the United States and of which he made 40% of its shares. He only played one official match and two friendlies to, in 2016, officially announce his final retirement.

Adriano’s new life in the favelas of Brazil, with rumors of murder

In 2016 his name became very prominent after some photographs came to light where he was seen living in one of the most dangerous favelas in Brazil, where he spent most of his life. Even today photos continue to appear in similar places, which he alternates with snapshots in impressive houses.

Retired from football and residing there, Adriano had to deny rumors about his death in February 2020 that had gone viral on social media. It was said that the Emperor had been assassinated in Morro de Alemao, In janeiro river. The ex-Inter had to publish two photos of him on Instagram to deny the rumours: “I am alive”wrote.

That’s how he lives. In a letter written by him to The Players Tribunehe claimed: “Adriano did not disappear in the favelas, he simply went home. I am one of the most misunderstood footballers on the planet”.